Mikaara Kirkwood

personal PHOTO-DOCUMENTARY of auckland Artist and maori elder

I was lucky enough to spend a significant amount of time with Mikaara, shooting the artist in his home over the period of a year. I enjoyed many hours listening to stories of his inspiration, his vibrant and spiritual inner world and his early life growing up in the South Auckland suburb of Mangere Bridge. My aim was to create portraits that capture Mikaara's presence in all of its facets, from passionately gestured stories to quiet creative meditations and moments of grand expression.